EU wants to create online gateway for free movement in internal single market

The European Union (EU) seeks to create an online "gateway", a platform gathering all the necessary information to facilitate free movement of its citizens and businesses in Europe's internal single market.

The European Commission, the bloc's executive body, launched an open consultation to seek opinions from stakeholders on the creation of the "single digital gateway", it said in a statement Wednesday, adding that the gateway aimed to provide user-friendly access to information, e-procedures, and advice services throughout Europe.

"Citizens and businesses are often not aware of their rights or face difficulties to access the relevant information when they want to move or do business in another EU country," EU Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska was quoted as saying in the statement.

"We need to create the conditions and tools that will allow them to tap into opportunities the EU Single Market offers," said Bienkowska, who is responsible for internal market, industry, entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The commissioner said the gateway would provide "everything people need to know" to do business cross-border, travel, live, study or work within the EU. "It will guide users online through the whole process, from accessing information to getting advice and assistance when encountering problems."

The consultation on the single digital gateway will be open until Nov. 21. The European Commission said it sought views of entrepreneurs, citizens, and public administrations, as well as other stakeholders, on how to best develop such a tool according to the needs of its users. Endit